Coasting-sleigh.



H. WENNINGHOFF'SLJ. E. HUGHES.

COASHNG SLEIGH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16. I911.

Patented Nov. 20; 1917.

3M mentors mm Me a;

HENRY WENNINGHOFF AND Josnrn E. Husnns, 0F OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

GOASTING-SLEIGH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 20, 1917.

Application filed June 18, 1917. Serial No. 175,330;

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, HENRY WENNING HOFF and JOSEPH E. HUGHES, citizens of the United States, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coasting-Sleighs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a coasting device, the objects in view being to provide such a construction that movements, while coasting, will be attended by less than ordinary friction, may be under convenient control by a person while riding upon an elevated seat, and to consist, for the most part, of light-weight, attenuated plates but so connected and arranged that durability may be attained.

With the foregoing objects in view the invention presents a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as described herein and claimed, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherem,-

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device. Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section on line 33 of Fig 1. Figs. 4 and 5, respectively, are side and end views of a coupling.

In the drawing numerals 6 and 7 respectively indicate a pair of runners and a platform of a sled. Mounted upon the platform 7 and projecting forwardly of the sled is a tongue member or base strip 8 provided near its front end with an aperture 9 for receiving the pivot 10 of a coupling member 11, best shown in Figs. 4 and 5. I

The base strip 8 is disposed midway between the runners 8 and is secured upon the platform. At the medial line of the base is secured an attenuated plate 12, its rear end projecting upwardly for supporting a seat 13, said seat also being supported in its elevated position by a pair of brackets 14: engaging the upper part of the plate 12, and an upright plate 15 which abuts upon the rear ends of the base 8 and platform 7.

Since the seat-supporting structure thus described consists of attenuated plates it will not be objectionable on account if its weight, and the elevated-seat conduces materially to the convenience of a rider when coasting. The plate 12 is disposed with its lower rectilinear edge in engagement with the base 8 its upper edge being inclined forwardly as indicated at ato the front end, which terminates adjacent to the aperture 9 of said base.

Numeral 16 indicates a foot rest or crossbar secured to the base, said cross-bar being posed reinforcing plates 18 for engaging the" sides of the shoe, said plates having downwardly convergent edges as shown in the drawing, a shank 19 and a head or cap 20, the shank preferably being formed angular in cross section for communicating a transverse swinging movement to the shoe by an operator who uses the inclined steering shaft 21 for this purpose, said shaftbeing mounted in the head-piece 20.

It will be noted that since the flat bottom of the cap 20 bears upon the top of the base 8, any rocking movement parallel with the line of travel will be prevented, this being desirable when coasting upon a track having pit holes, depressions or obstructions,

and while stresses will be directed to the connection of the shoe with the front end of the base when coasting over uneven surfaces the coupling is so constructed that it will adequately sustain these stresses.

It will be appreciated that the elevation of the seat will greatly conduce to convenience in the use of the device and this construction is practical on account of the arrangement of the plates for the superstructure which locates the center of gravity somewhat lower than by any other construc tion.

While we have described construction in detail, it will be understood that changes may be made relative to size, form, proportion and minor details, as more particularly pointed out in the claims.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. In a coasting device, the combination with a sleigh, a tongue-member projecting forwardly thereof, a plate disposed at rightangles to and having one of its longitudinal edges engaging the tongue, said plate having a part projectingupwardly at its rear end for supporting a seat, a shoe, a coupling consisting of a pivot journaled in the tongue, a pair of braces engaging the sides midway between the ends of the shoe and a head for a bearing upon the top of the base, and an inclined shaft mounted in the head of the coupling for controlling the movements of the shoe.

2. 1n devices for the purpose described, a sleigh, a seat-supporting structure consisting of an apertured base mounted upon the top and projecting forwardly of the sleigh, an attenuated plate disposed at right-angles with its lower longitudinal edge engaging the base from its rear to approximately its front end at the medial line thereof, a crossbar upon said base intermediate the front end of said plate and the aperture of the icpies of this patent remote base, an attenuated, elongated shoe, a coupling consisting of a pivot disposed in the aperture of the base, plates onthe sides midway between the ends of the shoe and a head for engaging the top of the base, and an inelinedly disposed steering-shaft mounted in the head of the coupling.

In testimony whereof we have affixed our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

HENRY WENNINGHOFF. JOSEPH E. HUGHES. Witnesses ARTHUR H. STURGES, HIRAM A. STURGEs.

may be obtained. for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

